411.05    Sanctions Related to Disclosures and Discovery

In inter partes proceedings before the Board, a variety of sanctions may be imposed, in appropriate cases, for failure to provide disclosures or discovery pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(h). [ Note 1.] The Board also may impose sanctions against the non-cooperating party for failure to participate in the discovery conference. [ Note 2.] See TBMP § 408.01(a).The Board’s authority to enter sanctions for conduct or misconduct related to disclosures or discovery is rooted in Fed. R. Civ. P. 37, most portions of which are made applicable to Board proceedings by 37 C.F.R. § 2.116(a)  (but certain portions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 37 are, on their face, irrelevant to Board proceedings). The range of sanctions listed in Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(b)(2), and which may be entered by the Board include, inter alia, striking all or part of the pleadings of the disobedient party, refusing to allow the disobedient party to support or oppose designated claims or defenses, drawing adverse inferences against uncooperative party, prohibiting the disobedient party from introducing designated matters in evidence, and entering judgment against the disobedient party. A sanction also "can consist of requiring a party to take an action which it would not otherwise be required to take by applicable rules, or to refrain from taking an action it would otherwise take." [ Note 3.] However, the Board will not hold any person in contempt, or award any expenses, including attorneys’ fees, to any party. [ Note 4.]

For further information concerning discovery sanctions and when they are available, see TBMP § 527.01.

For further information concerning attorneys’ fees and other expenses in Board proceedings, see TBMP § 502.05 and cases cited therein.

NOTES:

 1.   See, e.g., Amazon Technologies, Inc. v. Wax, 95 USPQ2d 1865, 1868-69 (TTAB 2010) (Board imposed sanctions pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(g)(1), redesignated effective January 14, 2017 by amendment to 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(h)(1)); opposer ordered to serve index of produced documents, supplemental answers to certain interrogatories; discovery reopened for applicant only); Electronic Industries Association v. Potega, 50 USPQ2d 1775, 1778 (TTAB 1999) (as a sanction, party required to study certain TBMP sections and to file a statement with the Board certifying completion of the task, to prepare complete set of responses to discovery requests, to consult with opposing counsel to ensure responses are appropriate, and to forward copies to counsel).

 2.   Patagonia, Inc. v. Azzolini, 109 USPQ2d 1859, 1861-63 (TTAB 2014); Promgirl, Inc., v. JPC Co., 94 USPQ2d 1759, 1762 (TTAB 2009); Guthy-Renker Corp. v. Boyd, 88 USPQ2d 1701, 1704 (TTAB 2008).

 3.   Electronic Industries Association v. Potega, 50 USPQ2d 1775, 1778 n.11 (TTAB 1999).

 4.   37 C.F.R. § 2.120(h)(1), 37 C.F.R. § 2.120(h)(2), and 37 C.F.R. § 2.127(f).